Download Rome: The Empire (30 B.C.E.

FCPS World I SOL Standards: WHI 9
Rome: The Empire (30 B.C.E.-476 C.E.)
You Mean Rome Was a Republic and an Empire?
The Caesars
As Rome’s republic declined, Rome was
governed by a triumvirate. The triumvirate
was a group of three elected officials who
ruled Rome. One of these rulers was Julius
Caesar, a military leader who was famous
for enlarging the empire. He used his
powerful army to take control in Rome and
rule as a dictator. This control angered
other officials, and on March 15, 44 B.C.E.
he was assassinated, or killed.
A civil war followed Julius Caesar’s death.
Octavian (Caesar’s adopted-son), Mark
Antony (a powerful general), and Lepidus
(a powerful politician) formed the Second
Triumvirate. Eventually Octavian took more
Map of the Roman Empire
Source: http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/ClasDram/images/12/25map07paxromana.jpg
power, defeated Mark Antony in battle, and
forced Lepidus to retire. Octavian then took the title Augustus, and became the first emperor, or ruler of Rome. The Republic
was dead. With Caesar Augustus in power, Rome expanded. It reached from North Africa in the south to Britain in the north
and from Spain in the west to Mesopotamia in the east. With territory so large, Rome used civil servants to run the empire,
as the Emperor could not make all of the decisions.
Pax Romana (27 B.C.E.-180 C.E.)
Pax Romana, means Roman Peace, and was a time period of peace and prosperity for the Roman Empire. Rome
established more control over its empire and began to expand outward. Rome created a single currency to use across
the empire, helping to expand trade throughout. Rome also built and maintained roads which provided quicker, safer travel
between cities. The Pax Romana was also a time of stability between the social classes. The rich were very few in number
and lived a very different lifestyle from the poor. Unemployment and poverty
were high. There were also problems with overcrowding, and fire was a
constant worry in the city. To maintain control of the population, the
government provided a ration of grain and free entertainment with games,
races, and mock battles. A greater focus was also put on the family. In
addition, the Roman Empire created formal rules for its legal system and
believed that the law should settle issues and disputes.
The Fall of Rome
A Roman Road
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_road_of_Santa_Agueda_.jpg
By 180 C.E. the Roman Empire was very large, and it was difficult to
administer or defend. The cost to maintain this empire became more
expensive, and with it, the Roman currency lost its value. This devaluation of money is called inflation. To save costs the army
started to use mercenaries who were not as loyal to Rome. Even Roman citizens began to lose faith in the government as they
saw generals fight amongst themselves for power. Also, the emperor had little influence over the bad economy. Outside groups,
especially those from Germany attacked the borders. To fix some of these problems, the Roman Empire was split in two, east
and west. The Emperor Constantine moved the capital to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople. This Eastern Roman Empire
would later be known as the Byzantine Empire. Rome would remain the capital of the Western Roman Empire. By 476 C.E. the
Western Roman Empire ended when no one claimed the title of emperor and German tribes occupied the city of Rome.
FCPS HS Social Studies © 2013
Rome: The Empire (cont.) FCPS World I SOL Standards: WHI 9
Key Vocabulary
Triumvirate: a group of three leaders
sharing control of the government
Dictator: a leader who rules a country with
absolute power, usually by force
Assassinate: to kill a political or social leader
Empire: lands and territories ruled by single
authority
Civil War: conflict between groups in the
same country
Pax Romana: the period from 27 B.C.E.180 C.E. in which the Roman Empire was
the strongest
Administer: to manage the affairs of a
business, organization, empire, or nation
Emperor: the ruler of an empire
Prosper: to be rich or successful
Currency: money
Inflation: in economics, an increase in prices
Mercenaries: hired soldiers
Quick Review
1. Use the following map of the Roman Empire to answer the
following question:
Around which sea is much of the Roman Empire located?
A. Aegean Sea
B. North Sea
C. Caribbean Sea
D. Mediterranean
2. Complete the above graphic with the correct response below.
A. The Roman Empire falls
B. Julius Caesar becomes the ruler of Rome.
C. The Roman Empire expands
D. German becomes the most popular language around the world
3. Who of the following was not a member of the Second Triumvirate?
A. Julius Caesar
B. Mark Antony
C. Lepidus
D. Octavian
4. Explain 2-3 aspects of Pax Romana which helped contribute to
this time being known as a time of peace.
Connection to Today
Resources
Look at the areas where the Roman Empire stretched. How many
different modern countries can you name that exist where the Roman
Empire used to be?
Learn 360
● Roman Roads: Paths to the Empire (http://goo.gl/GNIJiC)
● Caesar: Conqueror of Gaul-Julius Caesar (http://goo.gl/H5K9T)
FCPS HS Social Studies © 2013